China’s Jiangnan Shipyard will soon deliver the first out of three LNG-fueled hybrid PCTCs the yard is building for Norwegian shipping firm United European Car Carriers.
The LNG and battery-powered Auto Advance has completed its gas trials, according to Jiangnan. The shipbuilder said it would deliver the ship to UECC on November 25.
The Norway-based joint venture consisting of NYK and Wallenius Lines said in August it had expected to take delivery of the first hybrid LNG-powered newbuild for short sea trade this autumn after final commissioning.
Jiangnan is also moving forward with construction works on the other two sister vessels. Besides launching the second vessel in August, it has this week lifted the last giant block on the third newbuild to complete the hull form.
UECC expects these two vessels to join its fleet in early 2022 and towards the middle of 2022, respectively.
With an overall length of 169 meters and a width of 28 meters, the ships will have a car carrying capacity of 3,600 units on 10 cargo decks.
The shipping company previously said the battery-hybrid solution would take the firm beyond the IMO target of 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.
Also, the new vessels will enlarge the UECC dual-fuel fleet to five ships in total as it already operates two LNG-powered PCTCs but these do not feature battery power.